AIM Installation

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Download and Installation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What do I need to get started?

Q. What versions of AOL Instant Messenger (SM) are available?

Q. What do I do after I've downloaded the software?

Q. The installation fails to complete. (Windows only).

Q. I get an error during installation and at launch that MSVCR70.DLL cannot be found.

Q. I get an "1008-17, -23" error during installation. (Mac only).

Q. I have my preferences set to be notified when new clients are released, but I am not notified of every new version.

Q. I get the following error message when trying to install the software: "This version of CTL3D32.DLL is designated only for Windows NT systems". (Windows only).

Q. When the automatic upgrade tries to download the new installer, the download does not complete.

Q. When I try to download the installer from the web page, my browser can't reach the file.

Q: What do I need to get started?
A: All you need is the AOL Instant Messenger(SM) (AIM) software and a computer with a connection to the Internet. AOL Instant Messenger(SM) runs on your existing Internet connection and you start the program just by double-clicking its icon. At home, you probably connect to the Internet by dialing into your Internet Service Provider (ISP). At the office or school, your computer probably connect through a Local Area Network (LAN). LAN performance will be faster, but the basic experience is the same.

For hardware, we recommend you have at least:

• Windows: Pentium processor running Windows 98/ME, WinNT4/2000/XP

• Mac: PPC running OS 10.1 -OR- OS 9 with CarbonLib 1.3.1 (or later)

• 16MB RAM

• 10MB of free hard drive space (20MB of temporary space for the installation)

• 28.8 modem

• Internet connection that allows full Internet usage (not just a free email service)

• 800x600 resolution, 256 colors or more

• Full duplex sound card (though Talk will work with half duplex)

Windows 95 users please click here to download AIM 4.8.
Mac OS 8.6 users click here to download AIM Mac version 4.3

Note: If you're reading this using the Web browser on your computer, you're connected to the Internet, and you can sign on and use AIM with no more dialing or other connections to worry about. It's that easy!

Q: What versions of AOL Instant Messenger (SM) are available?
A: The latest version is available for Windows 98/ME/WinNT4/2000/XP and Macintosh OSX computers. Click here for the full systems requirements. To download AIM for Windows or Mac, click here. Beta versions of AIM are sometimes available and contain exciting new features that are not generally released yet, but may not be fully stable yet. Click here to see what beta versions are available.

There is also a Java version called "AIM Express", that allows you to send your buddies instant messages when you are not at a computer that has AIM installed. Click here for information about AOL's AIM Express. Finally, AIM versions are available for Linux, Palm, Palm i705 and Windows CE/PocketPC.

You can also use AIM with most handheld Windows CE devices.

Q: What do I do after I've downloaded the software?
A: After downloading the Instant Messenger software, you must install it on your computer. To install the software, locate the downloaded file on your computer, and double-click it. The installer will guide you through the installation process. After the installation is complete, type your new screen name over the current screen name that is displayed in the Screen Name field on the Sign On window. (I think you should explain what the current screen name is and how you know your new screen name.)

Q: The installation fails to complete. (Windows only)
A: Click here to download the alternate installer file.

Q: I get an error during installation and at launch that MSVCR70.DLL cannot be found.
A: Copy the msvcr70.dll file from your C:\Program Files\AIM\Sysfiles directory to the System32 directory in your Windows directory.

Q: I get an "1008-17, -23" error during installation. (Mac only)
A: Disabling the Virex control panel or upgrading to the latest Virex should fix the problem. (Contact McAfee for Virex updates.)

Q: I have my preferences set to be notified when new clients are released, but I am not notified of every new version.
A: Notifications of new versions of the software are not sent out for at least a day or two after a new client is posted on the web site. Also, notifications are not sent out at all for certain versions of AIM.

Q: I get the following error message when trying to install the software: "This version of CTL3D32.DLL is designated only for Windows NT systems". (Windows only)
A: Another application probably installed an invalid copy of CTL3D32.DLL into your c:\windows\system directory. Rename the file to something like "CTL3D32.DLL.backup" and run the AIM installer again.

Q: When the automatic upgrade tries to download the new installer, the download does not complete.
A: The automatic upgrade will not work for users behind a proxy server. Talk to your system administrator to find out if this is the case. If you are not behind a proxy server, the problem may be caused by too many users trying to download the software at once; in this case, please let us know about the problem by filing a bug report. In either case, you can download the installer manually by clicking the More Info button on the Automatic Upgrade prompt, and going to the URL that is listed on the bottom of the More Info web page that is loaded in your web browser.

Q: When I try to download the installer from the web page, my browser can't reach the file.
A: Copy the hyperlink's URL, and paste it into your browser's Address field. Replace the "ftp.newaol.com" in the URL with "ftp.aol.com", and press the Enter key. If that doesn't work, try replacing the "ftp://" at the beginning of the URL with "http://". If it still doesn't work, then please file a bug report to let us know about the problem.